TheSamba.com :: View topic - Front Hood Release

Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:24 am

First of all, a big hello and thank you to the Samba Ghia forum.

I've been absorbing all your wisdom and humor for the past several months. Thanks to you all, I finally worked up the nerve to pick up a '69 coupe. That post to come soon.

But for my first offering - I was inspired by the great post on a backup mechanism for the rear engine lid. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5446200

The PO for my car had installed remote controlled solenoids for both the front and back. Cool, but I wondered what happens if my battery dies?
I read the posts about taking out the glove compartment etc, but in my car the solenoid mechanism is immediately next to the front latch mechanism, far out of reach.

So I devised a way to rig a backup cable.

First, I used a vise grip to open up the mechanism, to expose the hole that the primary cable slides through.

I then used a brake cable from a mountain bike - essentially anything with a stop on the end. I threaded the new cable next to the existing one.

I then routed the cable around the mounting posts of the solenoid, then down to the floor of the front compartment, exiting near the central horn opening.

The cable is snugged next to the rubber seal of the horn and hidden away, but can still be accessible from the outside of the car.

So voila, if your primary front hood release cable is broken, you can now have a backup mechanism.

Happy motoring!

Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:23 am

Always a good Idea to have a backup. Thanks for taking the time to post this helpful info. Welcome to the Samba 8)